Follow the White Rabbit to Wonderland

Stories can be told dozens, even hundreds, of different ways. So it's always exciting to listen or see stories you are familiar with, being told with different interpretations.

On Thursday night, the Little Traverse Civic Theatre children's production of "Alice in Wonderland" opened at the Ross Stoakes Theatre inside the Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey.

The production features an onstage cast of more than 30, with several more participants working behind the scenes.

The Little Traverse Civic Theatre production of the story is the Michele L. Vacca's adaptation of the Lewis Carroll tale.

Alice, played by Boyne City Middle School student Kelsey Hubbard, follows the White Rabbit through Wonderland where she meets a variety of charismatic characters, including the Mad Hatter, Humpty Dumpty, the Queen of Hearts and Cheshire Cat.

The cast is made up of all ages from several area schools.

Throughout the performance, the audience is thrown into an intriguing and fascinating story that will take many back to their childhood. The whole hour and a half production is full of witty humor, colorful characters and even some suspense.

Hubbard, who has appeared in two previous Little Traverse Civic Theatre Productions, moves effortlessly from scene to scene, tying the whole story together.

The well-known tea party scene, led by the Mad Hatter, played by Libby Barbercheck, Dormouse, played by Josh Miecher, and the March Hare, played by Ethan Taylor, is a memorable and entertaining few moments as you watch Alice begin to understand that traditional rules don't apply in Wonderland.

Costumes, an important and colorful component of "Alice in Wonderland," were designed by Sean Pugh and a number of volunteers.

"Alice in Wonderland" is a show everyone can enjoy, no matter what your age. If you haven't experienced the story recently, you owe it to yourself to return to Wonderland. If it's a story you're not familiar with, just follow the White Rabbit.

"Alice in Wonderland" runs today, Friday, March 11, through Sunday, March 13, and again Thursday through Saturday, March 17-19. Show times are at 7 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m., all at the Crooked Tree Arts Center.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. To order tickets, visit www.ltct.org or call, (231) 348-1850, ext. 16.